all dangers overcome us, if we choose them ourselves, besides God's commandment. As Peter, when he went at God's commandment upon the water, took no hurt (Matt. xiv.); but when he entered into the bishop's house, upon his own presumption, he was overcome, and denied Christ. The Israelites, when they fought at God's commandment, the peril was nothing; but when they would do it of their own heads, they perished. (Numb. xiv.) So that we are bound to attend upon God's commandment, and then no danger shall destroy us, though it pain us. The other doctrine is in this, that God used the ministry of Moses and Aaron, in the deliverance of his people, who did command them to do nothing but that the Lord did first bid. Whereof we learn, that such as be ministers appointed of God, and do nothing but as God commandeth, are to be followed, as St. Paul saith," Follow me, as I follow Christ." (1 Cor. xv. xi.) And these men can by the word of God give good counsel and great consolation, both for body and soul; as we perceive this Prophet, in marking God's doings unto the Israelites, applied by grace the same wisdom and helping mercy unto himself, to his eterual rest through Jesus Christ in the world to come. To whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all laud and praise world without end. Let all Christians say, Amen. END OF THE SELECTIONS FROM BISHOP HOOPER. |